It became clear on Thursday, February 13 2025 that the National Parks Service had removed any mention of transgender individuals and the word queer from the Stonewall National Monument’s website–the Stonewall National Monument is the site of the famed Stonewall Uprising, a foundational event of the fight for queer civil rights, of which transgender and gender nonconforming people were an essential part. New York City activists and local government officials quickly assembled a “No LGB without T” Protest for the next day.
As the famed Stonewall Inn, site of the Uprising, and its corresponding Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative shared, “This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also dishonors the immense contributions of transgender individuals–especially transgender women of color–who were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots and the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights.”
By noon on February 14, Christopher Park, the site of the Stonewall National Monument, was filled with speakers, leaders, activists, and citizens from the LGBTQ+ community, all decrying the aforementioned erasure–as it stands right now, the site only lists the designation “LGB” and does not use the word queer to explain the significance of the Stonewall National Monument. To ignore transgender and gender nonconforming contributions to the Stonewall Uprising is not only a factual error, it’s a dangerous one. Transgender and gender nonconforming people have been a vital part of queer history and American history since the country’s founding (and long before).
The commitment of such an outrageous fallacy comes on the heels of the administration’s Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” But transgender people can’t be erased from trans history, queer history, or American history. Speakers gathered to combat the erasure, calling for equal rights, for the National Parks Service and New York State elected officials to stand up for their constituents, for the importance of acknowledging trans and gender nonconforming contributions LGBTQ+ history, for the support of cisgender individuals, and for the support of trans and gender nonconforming lives.
Here are photos from the February 14 “No LGB Without the T” Protest.
Outside Christopher Park
Elyssa Goodman
At the Stonewall National Monument
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Bernie Wagenblast, a voice of the NYC Subway, and activist Randy Wicker
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At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Activist Tabytha Gonzalez at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Reverend Yunus Coldman at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Performer, model, and activist Angelica Christina at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Performer and activist Marti Gould Cummings at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Activist Tanya Asapansa-Johnson Walker, co-founder of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group
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Student and activist Lorelei Crean at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Clark Wolff Hamel, Acting Executive Director of PFLAG, at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Performer and activist Rene Imperato at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
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Bernie Wagenblast, a voice of the NYC Subway, at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
A sign honoring transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson at the "No LGB Without T" Protest
Elyssa Goodman
At the "No LGB Without T" ProtestElyssa Goodman
Sister Rich B* Claire of the The NYC (dis)Order of SistersElyssa Goodman
Performer Chloe Elentari at the "No LGB Without T" ProtestElyssa Goodman
Outside Christopher Park, in front of restaurant Jeffrey's GroceryElyssa Goodman
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.